







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | |
| They weigh everything at the checkout. | |
| I'm a web designer. | |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | |
| Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | |
| That's a perfect time to see a house... | |
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | |
| What about that table? It looks better. | |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | |
| It definitely costs a lot, but that's not the only problem. | |
| You know some people don't like putting their ad on the internet. | |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | |